Device for detecting speed and position of balls

ABSTRACT

A ball detection device includes a frame with a hitting member connected to a center of the frame. A plurality of detection members are connected between corners of the hitting member and the frame. A CPU is electrically connected to the detection members and a display member. When the hitting member is hit by a ball, the detection members are pulled and send a respective signal according the tension the detection member is applied to the CPU and a corresponding information is displayed on the display member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device that employs tension members and CPU to detect the speed and position of balls when the balls hit on the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional way to detect the speed of a baseball is to use a detection gun which aims the ball and detects the time required between two fixed points so as to obtain the speed of the balls. The detection gun is expensive and is not affordable for the kids who practice to be a pitcher. Besides, the detection gun has to be operated by another person so that the pitcher has to cooperate with another person to detect the speed of the balls he/she pitches. The other requirement for the pitcher is to know the positions that the balls hit. In other words, the pitcher wants to know how the number of strikes and balls when he/she practices. Again, unless a catcher is cooperated with the pitcher, there is no proper equipment to clearly show the pitchers the pitch is a strike or a ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball detection device which comprises a frame and a hitting member is connected to a center of the frame. A plurality of detection members are connected between the hitting member and the frame. A CPU is electrically connected to the detection members and a display member is electrically connected to the CPU. The tension signals applied on the detection members when the hitting member is hit by a ball are sent to the CPU to show a corresponding information of the pitch.

[0004] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a ball detection device that shows the position and speed of a ball hitting on the hitting member of the device.

[0005] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the ball detection device of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 shows the connection between the detection member, the CPU and the display member;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view to show the ball detection device of the present invention, wherein a ball hits the hitting member, and

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view to show another embodiment of the hitting member of the ball detection device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ball detection device of the present invention comprises a frame 10 which has an opening defined through a center portion thereof and a hitting member 20 such as a sheet of net is connected to a periphery of the opening of the frame 10. The hitting member 20 includes a net frame 21 which encloses the sheet of net and a plurality of detection members 30 are connected between the net frame 21 of the hitting member 20 and the frame 10. A support structure 11 connected to a back of the frame 10 so that the frame 10 is able to stand on the ground.

[0011] Each of the detection members 30 includes a core 32 with a coil 33 mounted thereto and a spring 31. Two ends of the spring 31 are respectively connected to the frame 10 and the hitting member 20. An end of the core 32 is connected to the hitting member 20. A CPU 40 is electrically connected to the detection members 30 and a display member 50 is electrically connected to the CPU 40. When a ball 60 hits the hitting member 20, the hitting member 20 and the springs 31 are pulled. The springs 31 each are pulled according to the position from the position where the ball 60 hits and the force that the ball 60 applied on the springs 60. The cores 32 are moved together with the deformation of the springs 31. The position of each of the coils 33 and the cores 32 is changed, and an output end 331 of each of the coils 33 sends a signal to an input end 41 of the CPU 40. The signals are then proceeded to be proper display patterns or digits and output from an output end 42 of the CPU 40. The output from the out put end 42 of the CPU 40 is displayed on the display member 50 in a form of sound from speakers or in a form of patterns or digits on an LCD or LED screen 51.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 4, the hitting member 20 can be a foam plate 70 and the detection members 30 can be optical rulers or pressure-meters. The frame 10 can be a wall with an opening to connect the hitting member 20.

[0013] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball detection device comprising: a frame; a hitting member connected to a center of said frame, a plurality of detection members connected between said hitting member and said frame, and a CPU electrically connected to said detection members and a display member electrically connected to said CPU.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support structure connected to said frame.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hitting member is a sheet of net.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a net frame enclosing said sheet of net and said detection members connected to said net frame.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hitting member is a foam plate.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said detection members includes a core with a coil mounted thereto and a spring, two ends of said spring respectively connected to said frame and said hitting member, an end of said core connected to said hitting member. 